Introduction to Parasitology - Spring 2007
This course is an introduction to the range of eukaryotic organisms that cause disease in humans. We will cover medically important helminthes, protozoans and arthropods. The latter will be covered as both agents and vectors of human disease. For each pathogen we will learn its life history, epidemiology, clinical features of the disease it causes and pathogenesis. In addition there will be lectures on parasites and global public health, parasite genomics, vaccines for parasitic infections and drugs for parasitic infections. We will also cover the basic principles of laboratory diagnosis and treatment. In the laboratory sessions students will look at prepared slides, make wet mounts of live parasites and learn to prepare thick and thin blood films for diagnosis of malaria. At the end of the course, students will work on group projects in which they will learn about and present a research topic that is of interest to them.

The Science Behind Infectious Diseases - June 2005
This is a scientific foray into infectious diseases that you will encounter during your career. We will cover pathogens and their diseases that were requested by the previous year’s class. We will alternate student presentations (the class will be divided into four groups), with outside speakers. Each student group will introduce the topic and use the pathogens listed to meld the basic science with the disease. An outside speaker who will focus on one pathogen, related to the topic, will follow each student group session-they may designate a paper to read as background. Active discussion based on five guideline questions posed by the speaker/student group is strongly encouraged.

Introduction to Parasitology - Spring 2005
This course is an introduction to a range of eukaryotic organisms that cause disease in humans. We will cover the helminths and the protozoan parasites. In addition we will study insects, as both agents and vectors of human disease. For each pathogen we will learn its life history, epidemiology, and clinical features and pathogenesis of the disease it causes. We will also cover the basic principles of laboratory diagnosis and treatment. In the laboratory sessions students will look at prepared slides, make wet mounts of live parasites and learn to prepare thick and thin blood films for diagnosis of malaria.

Host Defense: Mechanisms and Therapeutics
This is a second year medical course aimed at guiding you to an understanding of the biomolecular origins, etiologies and appropriate treatment strategies for infectious and non-infectious disease. The course will emphasize the essential importance of problem solving and the utility of evidence-based medicine and will introduce the principles for appropriate utilization of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis and management of human disease.

Biology and Pathogenesis of Parasitic Diseases Course 2004
The objective of this course is to familiarize students with an integrative approach to host-microbial interactions. Recent developments in the genetics and physiology of pathogens as well as in the immune response of the host make microbial pathogenesis a very exciting field of research.

Advanced Science: The Science Behind Infectious Disease 2004
This course provides a scientific foray into infectious disease that you will encounter during your career. We will read a maximum two scientific papers that will be assigned by the speaker. Every week, 5 selected students will each present a question and we encourage participation of the rest of the group. We will have the expert in the room with us to facilitate discussion and answer questions. In the last hour there will be a lecture, in which you will be encouraged to ask questions.

Advanced Topics in Microbial Pathogenesis 2004
The objective of this course is to familiarize students with an integrative approach to host-microbial interactions. Recent developments in the genetics and physiology of pathogens as well as in the immune response of the host make microbial pathogenesis a very exciting field of research. The course will consist of an afternoon journal club of research papers selected by the speaker, presented by two students and moderated by course directors. The following day the speaker will give a lecture in which they will give an overview of the disease and their research. The lecture will be followed by a lunch with the speaker.